grand ancestor sound system

... judging by the physical reactions it causes: sound waves vibrate your sternum and collarbone, hairs on your arms stand straight up and the bass rumbles all the way to the end of your GI tract......It is a visceral experience...

— Washington City Paper (Chris Kelly)

About the system

In the hand-crafted fashion of the analog days, Grand Ancestor has assembled the only high-fidelity sound system of its kind for the modern listeners of Washington, D.C. Grand Ancestor is inspired by the community-centric traditions of the early-Jamaican and British Dancehall and Sound System scenes, later influenced by the underground hip-hop and electronic cultures that captured the world in the 90’s and 2000’s. Grand Ancestor Sound System can best be described as a custom built, wooden, mobile, 8-cabinet, 4-way, high fidelity, analog sound system. The system measures in at 10ft., 8ft wide, and 4ft. deep.

Rooted and grounded in the District, Grand Ancestor Sound System is an active platform for the growth and diversity of the local underground music scene. The Stack brings a uniquely visceral element of sound to the Nation’s Capitol. A product of several years of hard work, boss man, Jason Berto, a.k.a Yola, has been growing his roots, dub, digital, and steppers night, "Computa Age”, in the D.C. area for the past five years. His dedication to hosting a multiplicity of local and international artists lead to the eventual birth of the limited, vinyl only pressings released under the Grand Ancestor seal in 2013, and the D.C. based record label hasn’t looked back since. Constructed, sanded, stained, and tuned with love, Grand Ancestor Sound System was built for those with a passion for that bottom frequency, designed to fill the audio void for D.C.’s growing underground music culture and promote sound system culture here inna Babylon.